Seahawks coach Pete Carroll pleased with rookie class 10 games into season

Click through the following slideshow for highlights from Pete Carroll's press conference on Friday.

Click through the following slideshow for highlights from Pete Carroll's press conference on Friday.

Photo: GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM

Photo: GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM

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Click through the following slideshow for highlights from Pete Carroll's press conference on Friday.

Click through the following slideshow for highlights from Pete Carroll's press conference on Friday.

Photo: GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll pleased with rookie class 10 games into season

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RENTON, Wash. - The youth of the new-look Seahawks team this season has been well-noted. Within that, perhaps the most surprising aspect is how much, and consistently, Seattle relies on its first-year players for production.

They've delivered, too.

The rookie class for the Seahawks (5-5) has proven to be one of the team's deepest in recent years. First-round pick Rashaad Penny has become critical component in the backfield the last couple weeks; Tre Flowers and Michael Dickson have played big in starting roles; Rasheem Green and Jacob Martin have also established their place in the pass rush.

Even tight end Will Dissly was playing at a historic pace at the beginning of the season before landing on injured reserve with a torn patella.

"I think I've probably always said that if you play your guys early, then by the halfway point, then they could start to help you because they feel like regulars and it's not a big deal to them to play in the games and all that," head coach Pete Carroll told reporters on Friday. "They're comfortable with it and it's kind of showing up a little bit. That's kind of how we've always counted on it."